BLUFFTON, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Sam’s Club will open a brand new membership warehouse in Bluffton this week. The 139,000 square foot facility will replace the Hilton Head location which opened more than 20 years ago.

The community is invited to attend the grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting ceremony this Thursday at 8 a.m. Non-members are welcome to check out the club by simply asking for a one day pass at the Membership desk.

The new club located at 14 Bluffton Road is nearly twice the size of the previous club and will offer an expanded produce area, a fresh bakery, and café. In addition, the club will feature a Health and Wellness Center consisting of a pharmacy, hearing center and optical department.

While the new club will offer several new features, existing members will see some familiar faces. The vast majority of the 175 associates are transferring from the Hilton Head club to staff the new one.

“Our associates are excited to open the new club,” said Club Manager J.D. Brewer. “This bigger and better location means more space, more features and more treasure hunt items to surprise and delight our members.”

New club innovations

Shopping at Sam’s Club has never been more convenient. The club will offer the convenience of Scan & Go shopping, allowing members to bypass the checkout line by scanning and paying for items on their mobile device from anywhere in the club. The free app is available on both the iPhone and Android platforms.

The Bluffton club will also offer free Club Pickup, which allows members to order items online at SamsClub.com and pick them up inside the club or under the drive-thru canopy.

“Club Pickup is a free concierge service which allows you to order your items online and have them ready for pickup on your schedule,” added Brewer. “This is great for busy moms who don’t want to get the baby out of the car seat or the business owner who buys in bulk.”

Commitment to community

As part of the grand opening festivities, Sam’s Club will be awarding almost $20,000 in grants to several local nonprofit organizations.

The company also supports the area by sourcing products from local and regional businesses. Sam’s Club is proud to carry several local and regional items, including Pawleys Island Palmetto Cheese. Through the company’s Road Show program, other regional items being sampled during grand opening weekend include Roger Wood Sausage of Savannah and Charleston Roasters Coffee.

Grand opening ceremony to feature local officials, special events

Bluffton Mayor Lisa Sulka and members of the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce will be among those attending Thursday’s grand opening ceremony. The Bluffton High School JROTC will present colors. Royal Live Oaks Academy of Arts and Sciences student Yasmine Bolden will sing the national anthem.

Membership information

A Sam's Club membership is an investment that more than pays for itself. Whether buying for a household or a business, a Sam's Club member can access exclusive savings on merchandise and outstanding benefits. Memberships range from $45 to $100.

• A Sam’s Club Savings and Business membership is $45 per year and includes Instant Savings which are limited-time promotional discounts that are electronically loaded on a member's card and automatically applied at the time of purchase of the item.
• A Sam’s Club Plus membership costs $100 per year and includes early shopping hours and Cash Back Rewards meaning Plus members earn $10 in Cash Rewards for every $500 they spend in qualifying pre-tax purchases.

As part of a pre-grand opening membership promotion, residents can get up to a $30 gift card when they sign up as a new member.

About Sam’s Club

Sam’s Club®, a division of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT), is a leading membership warehouse club offering superior products, savings and services to millions of members in 655 clubs in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. To learn more about Sam’s Club, visit the Sam’s Club Newsroom, shop at SamsClub.com, and interact with Sam’s Club on Twitter and Facebook.

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